Mississippi passes bill restricting electric car dealerships

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Senate gave final approval Thursday to a bill to restrict electric car manufacturers from opening new brick-and-mortar dealerships in the state unless they comply with the same laws traditional carmakers follow.

The legislation, introduced in the House by Republican Rep. Trey Lamar of Senatobia, now heads to Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, who has not indicated whether he will sign it. On the Senate floor Thursday, the bill sparked an intraparty debate among GOP lawmakers.

Opponents said it would betray conservative principles by setting a government policy that interferes with the automobile market and would stop electric carmakers from bringing new technology and jobs to the state. Proponents said the law would ensure all car manufacturers, regardless of their business model, play by the same rules.

Tesla sells vehicles in person at one facility in Mississippi that is classified as a store, not a dealership. The distinction allows the company to operate outside state laws governing franchise businesses. This exception, and the prospect of other electric companies taking advantage of it, gives these manufacturers special privileges that traditional automakers don’t enjoy, according to Republican Sen. Daniel Sparks of Belmont.

https://apnews.com/article/mississippi-electric-cars-sales-tesla-31c06e7ecb9693f15bc578623b56fd9c

Electric carts are woke. Gas guzzling polluters are cool.

[patphil]

1. The way I read it, the law won't allow direct sales from factory owned stores.

Electric car manufactures would have to sell through traditional licensed dealerships, like Ford, or Chevrolet do now.
For example, Tesla could sell franchises to dealers who could then sell their cars, but couldn't directly sell them in stores owned by the corporation.
I think that's what they're trying to do.
Let me know if I have this wrong.

[tinrobot]

2. Misleading headline. It's not specifically aimed at EVs, but at direct sales.

Companies like Tesla and Rivian sell online and bypass the traditional dealer.

A lot of states, including Texas, have laws like this on the books. In the internet age, those laws are an anachronism.

[Ron Green]

3. Anyway, EVs aren't about saving the planet.

They’re about saving the car industry.

[yonder]

4. So, no more of that "let the marketplace decide"?

Missississippi: at the doorstep of communism. Who da thunk?

[Eugene]

6. Car dealers are big business, typically with big political influence

in most states.

A classic case of those who have the gold make the rules.

[Initech]

5. Did someone put something in the water in the GOP to make them go this batshit crazy?

I mean... damn.

[MichMan]

7. Why should they have to follow the same laws as everyone else?

Doesn't everyone know they are special?